Why Did Adam Mosseri Say Most Teens Didn’t Want Instagram’s ‘Take a Break’?
Instagram chief Adam Mosseri testified in Meta's child addiction trial that only a small percentage of teens used the 'Take a Break' feature before it was made default in September 2024, admitting 'Most teens didn't want it. We decided to push forward with it anyway.' States are seeking nearly USD 200 billion in penalties from Meta.
In one of the lawsuits against Meta, where it has been accused of designing addictive social media platforms and keeping children hooked, Instagram chief Adam Mosseri has also come under tough questioning. According to Reuters, Mosseri testified about the company's approach to teen safety features, including its 'Take a Break' tool, which reminds users to leave Instagram after spending a certain amount of time on the app.
Instagram's 'Take A Break' Feature Had Few Teen Users
During questioning by Jason Slothouber, an attorney representing Colorado, Mosseri acknowledged that only a small percentage of teenagers used "Take a Break" before Instagram made the feature available by default. Usage was in the low single digits before the change was introduced in September 2024, even though the feature itself was launched back in December 2021. Arturo Bejar in Meta Trial: Ex-Engineer Says 14-Year-Old Daughter Was ‘Prey’ on Instagram, Got S*x Requests.
At the time of launch, Mosseri had said early tests showed that more than 90 per cent of teenagers who activated the feature continued using it. However, when asked about the low adoption rate, Mosseri said, "Most teens didn't want it. We decided to push forward with it anyway."
Why This Testimony Matters
The testimony is important because the states suing Meta argue that the company could have taken stronger steps to reduce teenagers' time on Instagram much earlier. Meta, however, denies that it designed its platforms to make children addicted. Meta Denies Allegations That Instagram and Facebook Are Designed to Addict Teens.
States Accuse Meta Of Putting Children At Risk
California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey have accused Meta of designing Facebook and Instagram in ways that could encourage young users to spend more time on the platforms. These states claim that Meta's products contributed to problems including anxiety, depression and suicide, while also accusing the company of misleading users about safety.
All 29 states involved in the case have also accused Meta of illegally collecting and using personal information from children under 13. The states have indicated that they could seek nearly INR 16,60,000 crore (nearly USD 200 billion) in civil penalties.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 26, 2026 11:27 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
